Following Lizzo’s Internet-breaking performance at the 2019 VMAs earlier this week, the singer has been making headlines left, right and centre. But not all of them have been so positive.
The Blast reports that Lizzo has filed a request to trademark the phrase “100% that bitch,” which features in her banger ‘Truth Hurts.’ Lizzo made the decision to claim her phrase after musician Mina Lioness accused her of stealing the line from a tweet she posted in 2017.
Lizzo claims the phrase is from an Instagram meme, but Mina Lioness continues to defend her accusations on Twitter.
In honour of Lizzo being 100% that bitch by trademarking “100% that bitch” these are some of the weirdest and wildest phrases celebrities have trademarked, or attempted to trademark:
Paris Hilton
“That’s hot”
In 2006, at the peak of her Simple Life fame, Paris Hilton trademarked her iconic phrase “that’s hot.” According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office it only applied to alcohol and clothing – so don’t be trying to sell any goon bags with the phrase ‘that’s hot,’ or Paris will come for you.
50 Cent
“50 Cent”
Rapper 50 Cent AKA Curtis Jackson, went to extreme lengths to trademark his name. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, “Jackson’s trademark applies to everything from shirts and pants to ‘pre-recorded phonograph records.’ In 2008, he went so far as suing Taco Bell for “infringing commercials” advertising 79, 88, and 99 cent menus.
Nadya Suleman
“OctoMom”
In 2009, after making headlines all over the world for giving birth to octuplets via IVF, Nadya Suleman trademarked her nickname ‘OctoMom.’ Apparently, the name applies to dresses, pants, shirts and diapers. In March this year, OctoMom celebrated the octuplets’ 10th birthday – she told the media “my kids are my life.”
Jay-Z and Beyonce
“Blue Ivy Carter”
In 2013, Beyonce and her company trademarked her daughter Blue Ivy’s name. Jay-Z told Vanity Fair, “people wanted to make products based on our child’s name, and you don’t want anybody trying to benefit off your baby’s name.” Just this week, Veronica Morales, the owner of Blue Ivy wedding planning (which was established prior to Bey and Jay’s baby being born), filed a lawsuit against the couple, accusing them of fraud. They’re set to face off in court.
Taylor Swift
“This Sick Beat,” “Party Like It’s 1989,” “Cause We Never Go Out Of Style,” and more
You’d think Taylor Swift would have made enough money off her countless albums, tours, and merch, but no – she’s also making money off a handful of carefully trademarked phrases. A few weeks before releasing her fifth album in 2014, Tay trademarked “Party Like It’s 1989” and “This Sick Beat,” from ‘Shake It Off.’ She also trademarked, “‘Cause We Never Go Out of Style” “Could Show You Incredible Things” and “Nice to Meet You, Where You Been”
Ryan Lochte
“Jeah”
In 2012, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte trademarked the phrase “Jeah,” hoping to put it on everything from goggles to sunglasses, jewellery and beer mugs. Apparently, it’s a modification of the phrase “chyeah” made famous by rapper Young Jeezy. In a 2009 YouTube video, Lochte said, “it means, like, almost everything…Like happy. Like, if you have a good swim, you say, ‘Jeah!’” He does, in fact, have an online store selling ‘Jeah’ hats, bottles, mugs and buttons.
Kylie Jenner
“Kylie”
Two years ago, Kylie Minogue successfully blocked Kylie Jenner from trademarking the name “Kylie.” In 2014, Jenner attempted to use the name for her hugely successful beauty brand. Lawyers sent a letter to Jenner calling her a “secondary reality television personality,” and Minogue an “internationally-renowned performing artist, humanitarian and breast cancer activist known to world simply as Kylie.” The savage burn paid off and Kylie Minogue won!
Charlie Sheen
“Duh, winning,” “Vatican Assassin,” “Tiger Blood,” and more
In 2011, Charlie Sheen sought to trademark a whopping 22 phrases, including his iconic “duh, winning,” “Tiger Blood,” “Vatican from Assassin,” “Rock Star From Mars” and more. He also tried to trademark his girlfriends, “Sheen’s Goddesses.” Oh lordy.
Donald Trump
“You’re fired”
Before he was the President of the United States, Donald Trump attempted to trademark the phrase “you’re fired!” from his popular TV show The Apprentice. The move was rejected by the attorneys for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office but the legacy most definitely lives on.